A Sports complex having facilities like gym-cum-fitness centre, football field, sitting/viewing gallery, space for indoor games etc. will come up at Laltha Singh Ground, Govt. Middle School, Haddo. This was announced by the Lt Governor, Lt Gen AK Singh (Retd) at the venue amidst loud cheers from the residents of Haddo area, especially youth, present in large numbers. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest on the occasion, the Lt. Governor said that it was a long pending demand of the general public of Haddo area which will now be fulfilled. He said a token provision of Rs. 2 lakh under the Annual Plan 2015-16 has been kept for starting the work and adequate money will be provided as per approved plan.
Turning to sports, the Lt Governor said that sports is an integral part of our daily life and it is equally important for maintaining good health, character building and developing competitive spirit. “Sport is a vital activity and it is as important as reading books”, said the Lt Governor urging the youth and sports persons to play games in right spirit. Lauding the talented sportspersons of these Islands, the Lt. Governor said, the Islands with a population of over 4 lakh have produced talented sports persons, who have brought laurels to the Islands at National and International level competitions. “Our Islands stood at 17th position in the overall ranking in the National Games, which is indeed a matter of pride for all of us”, added the Lt. Governor.
The Lt. Governor echoed with delight that all the medals were won by the girls and exhorted the boys to excel in sport and bring more laurels as they are equally talented. Promising to extend encouragement among talented sportspersons, the Lt. Governor said, “the Administration will support and encourage anyone who is talented in the field of sport”.
The Lt. Governor said that efforts are underway to revamp the Sports Department so that sports can flourish here. The Lt. Governor also expressed disapproval over the bogus Hockey team which participated at the National level competition without the consent of the competent authority. He said such unethical activities are uncalled for and should not be allowed. The Lt. Governor expressed his desire that utmost transparency be maintained in every sports activity. He also directed the Secretary (Sports) and the Director (Sports) to revamp the Sports Department.
Expressing anguish over the recent tragic death of a child at the swimming pool, the Lt. Governor said that if precautionary measures were adopted, the precious life of a young child would have been saved. “Parents are sending their children to learn swimming and it is the responsibility of the Department to ensure their safety”, the Lt Governor added. He said so far four persons have been suspended and a Magisterial Inquiry into the incident has already been ordered and strict action, against the erring officials will be taken.
The Lt. Governor mentioned that in terms of sports facilities, Port Blair has quite good infrastructure. However, sports infrastructure should also be developed in far flung areas for which he has directed the Deputy Commissioners concerned.
Turning his attention to upcoming Sports complex at Laltha Singh Ground, at Haddo, the Lt. Governor desired that all the required facilities should be provided and the ground should be optimally utilised. He directed Secretary Sports, Shri Devinder Singh and the Chief Engineer, APWD, Shri P.K.Singh to form a committee comprising of three members from the area including two from sports background. The committee should discuss the need and requirements in consultation with local residents and also take into account the suggestions made by the Member of Parliament. Based on their proposals the developmental work will be carried out, the Lt Governor said. The Lt Governor directed the Chief Engineer APWD to prepare the detailed plan for the sports complex within 15 days’ time and start the work in three months’ time.
The Lt Governor appraised the gathering about the 6th State Plan Board meeting which passed the annual plan 2015-16. He said that plan proposals were discussed and debated from the Panchayat level to Planning Board level before its finalization. “There is need to prioritize the schemes by the concerned departments so that meaningful projects are developed for the welfare of the common citizens. Every amount sanctioned under the Central Scheme for the development of the Islands should be utilized in right earnest for the welfare of the islanders”, said the Lt. Governor.
The Lt Governor expressed his satisfaction over the development works in these Islands during the last one year, for which he thanked the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh for their whole hearted support and encouragement. Referring to his recent meeting with the Union Home Minister, the Lt Governor stated that the Home Minister assured him of providing all possible support for the growth and development of the Islands. Mentioning some of the major projects, the Lt Governor stated that the Medical College for these Islands will become a reality soon as the final inspection of this College was completed yesterday. The Lt Governor said that he will request the Prime Minister to inaugurate the Medical College during the month of July, 2015.
Another achievement in the Health sector was the introduction of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Scheme for Health Insurance which is first of its kind in the entire country. The Lt Governor thanked the Member of Parliament for guiding the Administration in converting this scheme into reality. Under the scheme, Islanders having income upto Rs. 3 lakh and retired govt. servants can avail free treatment upto Rs five laks in empanelled Hospitals in mainland, the Lt Governor said adding that in the last one month over 40 people availed the benefit of this scheme.
Turning to the Civil Aviation sector, the Lt Governor said that with constant efforts of all, the Administration was able to start flight to Car Nicobar, the remotest District of our country. Apart from this, chartered flight was introduced in Chennai sector and recently Delhi-Vizag-Port Blair fight was inaugurated, which, he said has fulfilled the long pending demand of the Islanders. He further stated that the Administration will make concerted effort to increase the frequency of the charter flight in Chennai sector.
The Lt Governor also appraised the gathering about the progress made to start charter flight in Kolkata sector for which night landing facility at Port Blair Airport is paramount. He said a team from mainland is coming tomorrow which will evaluate the facility available for night landing. Once they give the clearance, the starting of chartered flight to Kolkata will become a reality, as the Air India has spare aircraft capacity at night.
The Lt Governor expressed his happiness on the first annual day celebration of Andaman Nicobar College (ANCOL). He also appraised the gathering about the demands of the students for higher education which prompted him to take immediate decision for the establishment of the college. The Lt Governor further stated that a Community College will be established at Ferrargunj which will start functioning from July, 2015. In conclusion the Lt Governor reiterated his commitment to work for fast pace development and welfare of the islanders.
In his address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his happiness over the coming up of Sports Complex at Latha Singh ground, which according to him, will fulfill the long pending demand of the residents of Haddo area, especially the youth and students of nearby schools. He informed the gathering that the fund provision for the Sports Complex has been kept in the State Plan and the Lt Governor has given his nod for the development of the Sports Complex. This sports complex will be a befitting compliment to the sports persons of Haddo area who have represented these Islands in National level tournaments, he added. He further requested the Administration to see the possibility to develop the area for football as well as cricket field. He suggested that the adjacent children’s park should be converted into a volleyball court and proper fencing should be done to restrict encroachment in the area. Creation of proper parking place and separate approach road for the Sports complex should also made, the MP added.
The Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, the Chairperson SSWB, Smt. Ratna Kannan, senior officers of the Administration and large gathering of youth and residents of Haddo area were present on the occasion.
In his welcome address, the Secretary Sports, Shri Devinder Singh said that the long pending demand of the residents of Haddo area to have a sports complex with good sports infrastructure will now be fulfilled. He said the upcoming sports complex will have a gym cum fitness centre, a football ground of minimum standard specification, net fencing on all the four corners, sitting /viewing gallery for the public, indoor game facilities like table tennis, basket ball court if feasible and a separate toilet facilities for ladies and gents. He also highlighted about the present status, physical targets and timelines of the upcoming sports complex. The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director (Sports), Shri G K Singh.
